What is Pentecost?
In 2023, Pentecost Sunday is May 28th.
The Day of Pentecost, celebrated 50 days after the Resurrection of Christ Jesus, marks the day when the disciples felt a renewed sense of connection with their risen Lord.
Pentecost occurred during one of three major Jewish festivals that caused many visitors to come to Jerusalem from all over the Mediterranean world.
As the story unfolds, each person present could understand the preaching of the apostles, even though they spoke different languages. To many, this day represents the birth of the Christian church.
Pentecost occurred during one of three major Jewish festivals that caused many visitors to come to Jerusalem from all over the Mediterranean world.
As the story unfolds, each person present could understand the preaching of the apostles, even though they spoke different languages. To many, this day represents the birth of the Christian church.
What does the Bible say about the Day of Pentecost?
Acts 2:1-12 NRSV*
Acts 2:1-12 NRSV*
1 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.
2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.
3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them.
4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
5 Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem.
6 And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each.
7 Amazed and astonished, they asked, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans?
8 And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language?
9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,
10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,
11 Cretans and Arabs — in our own languages we hear them speaking about God's deeds of power."
12 All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?"
2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.
3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them.
4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
5 Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem.
6 And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each.
7 Amazed and astonished, they asked, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans?
8 And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language?
9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,
10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,
11 Cretans and Arabs — in our own languages we hear them speaking about God's deeds of power."
12 All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?"
* New Revised Standard Version of the Bible
Project Zion Podcast Episode 76: Common Grounds - Pentecost
Join Karin Peter for a Common Grounds episode. Karin talks to Blake Smith about Pentecost and its significance during the liturgical calendar.
|
Project Zion Podcast Episode 586: Coffee to Go - Pentecost
The Spirit of God like a fire is burning! It’s Pentecost Sunday, and in this episode of Coffee to Go, cohosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith explore the scripture text that tells of this spirit-filled day. Put on something red, and join them as they discuss the radical inclusivity that plays out on this day in the journey of the disciples, and how the Spirit continues to be present in the quiet and in the chaos.
For more information on breathing peace and other spiritual practices for kids, go to: https://www.allthingsarespiritual.org/spiritual-practices-for-children-and-youth.html
|
Diversity: Pentecost and Re-creation
By Katie Harmon-McLaughlin
Community of Christ Spiritual Formation Ministries |
Pentecost is a moment of birth. It was the birth of the early church, a great coming together, breathing together, listening together into the wild Spirit that was and always is drawing us toward union.
The sprawling diversity of the early church is represented at the beginning of the book of Acts. How would followers of “The Way” spread the message of Christianity in many languages to many cultures amid the socio-cultural and political realities of class differentiation, slavery, patriarchy, and the oppressive rule of the Roman Empire? |
Spiritual Formation awakens disciples to the Divine Presence in the midst of everyday life.
Through Spiritual Practice we learn to listen for God’s Spirit and discern invitations to share God’s love. Please visit our Spiritual Practice Resource page for additional information.
Through Spiritual Practice we learn to listen for God’s Spirit and discern invitations to share God’s love. Please visit our Spiritual Practice Resource page for additional information.